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RCMP are launching an internal review in the wake of the Wednesday death of Const. David Wynn - shot in the head at a St. Albert Casino Saturday - to help prevent future tragedies.

"Today is a day for us to reflect and pay homage to a great citizen," said assistant RCMP commissioner Marlin DeGrand.

The father of three - who fulfilled a life-long dream when he became an RCMP officer - was taken off life support and succumbed to his injuries in an Edmonton hospital Wednesday morning after his loved ones said their goodbyes.

Wynn and Auxiliary Const. Derek Bond, 49, were investigating a stolen vehicle found while on routine patrol at the Apex Casino in St. Albert around 3 a.m. Saturday when a gunman pulled a concealed handgun out of his waistband and shot both officers within four seconds before fleeing.

The gunman, 34-year-old Shawn Maxwell Rehn, was later found dead in a rural home it appears he broke into in St. Albert.

DeGrand said Bond is expected to recover physically from his wounds, but the emotional devastation will not be easily overcome.

"Auxiliary Constable Bond, like all the members of St. Albert detachment that are going through this today are having to deal with the fact that a colleague and a friend is no longer with them," said DeGrand. "It's a terribly difficult situation."

RCMP said Rehn was "very well known" to police and had an extensive history of firearms related offences and was prohibited from possessing firearms for life. While he was wanted on warrants, neither officer knew the danger they faced before confronting the man, who they recognized only through reviewing the casino's security footage.

"It was a crossing of paths, really, a random crossing of paths inside of the casino," said DeGrand.

DeGrand said RCMP will be conducting an internal review, including revisiting all police interactions with Rehn over his years of run ins with the law with input from the RCMP behavioural sciences unit, to understand how future situations like this may be avoided.

"We are examining every one of our interactions right now to just try and basically understand his criminal history and his interactions with police in general," said DeGrand.

Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis has also called for a review into how Rehn's long-term criminality was handled by authorities, including Rehn's nearly one hundred convictions and outstanding warrants.

"We are very concerned about the fact that an individual of his criminal history came into contact with our officers," said DeGrand, who thanked the public for the outpouring of support he called "heartening" to officers.

A regimental funeral honouring the life and service of Wynn will be held on Monday, Jan. 26 at Servus Place, 400 Campbell Road, in St. Albert.